Labour MEPs back plan to include gender equality in every aspect of EP decision-making and legislation

Labour MEPs voted today to adopt a European Parliament plan to include gender equality in every aspect of its decision-making and legislation.

The plan aims to ensure women’s rights and equality, as well as rights of LGBTIQ persons, will be taken into account in different areas of legislation, from the impact of macro-economic policies on the situation of women, to women and girls’ access to digital technologies.

“The European Parliament adopts all European legislation, and a stronger emphasis on women’s rights and gender perspectives in all of our work, as well as our working environment, represents a significant step forward in our struggle for true gender equality.

“With each parliamentary committee set to adopt a gender equality action plan, and with increased representation of women in decision-making, we hope to set a global model of best practice. We also intend to stimulate further inclusion of a gender perspective in the work of all EU institutions, reminding them of the European Union’s core values.”

“This is a momentous way to celebrate International Women’s Day at the heart of a democratic Europe.”

“Only by improving coordination and ensuring the European Parliament delivers on gender mainstreaming can MEPs properly consider the impact of policies on women.

“This includes training for MEPs and staff, sharing of best practice among committees, increased inter-institutional cooperation on gender mainstreaming with the European Commission and national governments, and work with national parliaments and UN bodies for best practice sharing.

“We must also work to improve the representation of women in parliament – only 37 per cent of MEPs are women, and in the UK just 29% of MPs are women.”